The Great Gatsby: Wikispace Project Connecting With The Text
It all starts with an idea!
Vision: Having almost finished our The Great Gatsby unit, I ask now that you think about the following questions/central ideas:
1. What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time? 2. Think about the two worlds, the Midwest and the East, as Fitzgerald describes them, and what they represent for Nick and for Gatsby. 3. Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby? 4. What is Nick Carraway's role in the novel? Consider Nick's father's advice in chapter one: "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does telling the story from Nick's point of view make it more believable? 5. What part of his past is Gatsby trying to recapture? Is he successful? Is there a person, feeling, or event in your past that you'd want to revisit? 6. What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great? 7. Why did Nick become involved with Jordan, and why did he break off the relationship? 8. Discuss Fitzgerald's use of symbols, such as the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the green light on Daisy's dock, and the valley of ashes. 9. What makes The Great Gatsby a classic novel? Why has it maintained its place in American literature? 10. Discuss elements of the Jazz Age that Fitzgerald includes in The Great Gatsby.
Purpose: With the questions as a foundation, use your Gatsby text and/or other resources to come to a new, fresh perspective about what you’ve learned about yourself based on what you’ve taken from TheGreat Gatsby text that helps you understand your world.
Task: You will use Wikispaces as the platform for this activity. Remember, think creatively and critically. Your resources can come from a variety of places, but must be class appropriate. In addition, document your sources (images, text, quotes, etc…) on your Wikispace page using MLA format. Using one of these questions/statements as a foundation, I want you to create a vibrant Wikispace page that brings together all the thinking, writing, and reading you’ve done over the past few weeks.
Format: The Wikispace page format is up to you, though the product must be thoughtful, cohesive, creative, and critical.
Nitty-Gritty: On Wikispaces, you can add information, adjust information, comment on others’ ideas, add links to music, pictures, etc. Your product does not need to be an essay, and it does not need to have a formal thesis, though you should come to some type of conclusion and express your personal insights about life today. Remember, you are just using the Gatsby text in a new way.
Connecting With The Text
1. What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?
2. Think about the two worlds, the Midwest and the East, as Fitzgerald describes them, and what they represent for Nick and for Gatsby.
3. Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?
4. What is Nick Carraway's role in the novel? Consider Nick's father's advice in chapter one: "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does telling the story from Nick's point of view make it more believable?
5. What part of his past is Gatsby trying to recapture? Is he successful? Is there a person, feeling, or event in your past that you'd want to revisit?
6. What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great?
7. Why did Nick become involved with Jordan, and why did he break off the relationship?
8. Discuss Fitzgerald's use of symbols, such as the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the green light on Daisy's dock, and the valley of ashes.
9. What makes The Great Gatsby a classic novel? Why has it maintained its place in American literature?
10. Discuss elements of the Jazz Age that Fitzgerald includes in The Great Gatsby.
Purpose: With the questions as a foundation, use your Gatsby text and/or other resources to come to a new, fresh perspective about what you’ve learned about yourself based on what you’ve taken from The Great Gatsby text that helps you understand your world.
Task: You will use Wikispaces as the platform for this activity. Remember, think creatively and critically. Your resources can come from a variety of places, but must be class appropriate. In addition, document your sources (images, text, quotes, etc…) on your Wikispace page using MLA format. Using one of these questions/statements as a foundation, I want you to create a vibrant Wikispace page that brings together all the thinking, writing, and reading you’ve done over the past few weeks.Format: The Wikispace page format is up to you, though the product must be thoughtful, cohesive, creative, and critical.
Nitty-Gritty: On Wikispaces, you can add information, adjust information, comment on others’ ideas, add links to music, pictures, etc. Your product does not need to be an essay, and it does not need to have a formal thesis, though you should come to some type of conclusion and express your personal insights about life today. Remember, you are just using the Gatsby text in a new way.
Due: Friday, 3/19
maresha and amanda's ideas...